Monday, April 2, 2012

FLOWERS BLOOMING TOO EARLY THIS YEAR by Linda S. Glaz

Yup! Eighty degree weather in Michigan in March will do that to ‘em. My cousin has a huge orchard in northern Michigan, and I understand they are almost 5-6 weeks ahead of schedule. People down here near Detroit are whooping and hollering and loving the heat wave.

Sort of like a new author who gets an unexpected full read…before she’s ready.

Late last week, we had a frost advisory, further north, a frost warning. Then the next night we all got the warning. Then, alas, the third night, a freeze warning. Now, for those of you who don’t have a clue what that might do to an orchard, think of it this way; the trees’ juices start flowing early, they bud early, the freeze hits, and unless you’ve fired your orchard with thousands of dollars of gas heat(gone are the days of smudge pots), the buds fall off—the crop’s gone.

Our young writer has rewritten her first couple chapters over and over, had a few folks tell her it’s “pretty doggone good, sweetie”—usually mom or friend. Her creative juices are flowing and her work’s started to bud. Started being the key word. She gets a request based on those first chapters that have been tweaked to death, and along comes a request for a full read, better known as a frost warning. The freeze comes after the editor/agent reads it and realizes it’s no more ready to publish than the Titanic was to float. Hence, the frosty response.

The farmer stares at the trees and realizes there’s not a thing he can do other than pray to make it to next year’s crop of apples, cherries, or peaches.

By sending out work not ready, the author burns all her bridges with every agent/editor in the industry until all she can do is stare at the manuscript and pray she’ll be wiser next time.

Don’t be in a hurry. Chances are you aren’t going to fall into the “deal of a lifetime” by hurrying your work to market.

LOL - so true. Sometimes us newbie authors are so excited about our stories it's hard to resist contacting someone. I'm restraining - my writing later in my memoir is far improved from the earlier chapters. I also have a better focus, so have to get rid of stuff. I love your gardening analogy. It is so true. I don't want a frost, I want something that will blossom in the agent's hands.

So true, yet so difficult for newbie writers trying to get that debut novel ready (hard to do on your own!). I think, maybe 10 years ago, you could submit stuff that wasn't edited and trust it to the pub. house editor. But now, the more critiquing/editing you can take BEFORE submitting, the better your chances of getting through the agency doors.

Excellent example! I've heard of the dangers of frost for apple-tree farms, and it's no laughing matter for them. Sorry to hear MI is dealing w/this.

MEET THE HARTLINE AGENTS

Joyce Hart, Owner and principal agent

Joyce Hart, owner and principal agent of Hartline Literary Agency has been a literary agent for more than a decade. She was formerly the vice president of marketing of an inspirational publishing company and as the president of Hartline Marketing has nearly thirty-two years of successful experience marketing and promoting books. Joyce has been a pioneer in selling high-quality fiction to the inspirational market and has built an excellent rapport with leading inspirational publishers. A member of ACFW, and the National Association of Professional Women, Joyce is a graduate of Open Bible College, Des Moines, IA now merged with Eugene Bible College in Eugene, Oregon. Joyce is based at Hartline Literary's Pittsburgh headquarters.

Terry Burns. Agent

Terry has been with the Hartline agency for over ten years, over six years as an agent, and has a substantial list of clients, a growing list of credits, and a reputation for presenting to conferences all over the country. Terry comes from a writing background, has over 40 books of his own in print, most recently publishing a primer for Christian authors entitled "Writing in Obedience" with editorial assistant Linda Yezak. His Young Adult novel entitled "Beyond the Smoke" won the Will Rogers Medallion and he has a book out on the skills needed to get published entitled "A Writer's Survival Guide toPublication" that was developed out of the month long course he held for ACFW. A bookstore of his available works as well as a periodic blog can be found at http://www.terryburns.net. As an agent Terry says "I'm looking for a good book, well written in a unique voice, aimed at a market that looks promising, and where I feel I have the contacts appropriate to be able to sell the book in that market. I'm pretty open as to genre but I don't do picture books, sci fi or fantasy. He's a member of the Association of Author's Representatives (AAR).

Diana Flegal, Agent

Diana currently lives in Asheville NC. A Bible College major in Missions and Anthropology, Diana has been a medical missionary to Haiti, a women's speaker and bible study leader. One of her life's highlights has been teaching apologetics to high school students as preparatory for college. Avid reader and intuitive editor, Diana's represents nonfiction and well written fiction. She has a passion for getting great writers published.

Jim Hart, Agent

Jim Hart is looking for authors who can write unique and engaging fictional suspense, romance, women’s fiction, historical fiction and some sci-fi. Jim is also interested in non-fiction regarding church growth, Christian living, and self-help. Keep in mind that non-fiction topics require a certain level of credentials, experience and expertise. The author will need an appropriate platform to present a non-fiction proposal.

Currently Jim is not looking at children’s, young adult or Biblical fiction proposals.

He holds a degree in Production Journalism and worked for twenty years in direct mail advertising before taking a job with an urban social services agency, where he worked for twelve years. All during his professional career, Jim has served with the local church doing youth ministry and music/worship ministry. He is a credentialed minister with the Assemblies of God, and serves part-time as Worship Pastor in his local church in Southwestern Pennsylvania.

Linda Glaz, Agent

Linda is an experienced editor, reviewer and writer, and for a couple of years was a final reader for Wild Rose Press, then for White Rose Publishing and she worked as an editorial assistant for Hartline Agent Terry Burns. She has judged for numerous contests including the Genesis for the American Christian Fiction Writers, as well as the Emily Award for the West Houston Chapter of the Romance Writers of America. She has been on the faculty for Faithwriters.com annual conference, Maranatha, and is slated for numerous others in 2013. Linda understands writers because she's a writer herself with 4 books releasing in 2013.linda@hartlineliterary.comhttp://lindaglaz.blogspot.com/

Andy Scheer, Agent

Andy has a wealth of experience as a publishing professional with over 18 years as the managing editor of Moody Magazine, 8 years as the managing editor for the Christian Writer’s Guild, and as a free-lance writer and editor. He is a frequent instructor at writing conferences around the country. A journalism graduate from Colorado State University, he also attended Denver Seminary. Andy is a consummate professional and will be a great addition to the Hartline team.